Now watching: The Alienist

Netflix’s The Alienist is an intriguing premise with a star cast – Daniel Brühl, Luke Evans and Dakota Fanning team up in 1890s New York City to investigate a serial killer preying on street children. Brühl plays Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, the so-called ‘alienist’, a criminal psychologist – those suffering from mental illness at the time were said to be alienated from their true natures, so the experts who studied them were known as alienists.

It’s a suitably gruesome and dark series, with New York City looking fantastically grubby but recognisable. It reminds us of the feel of The Knick with a little bit of Penny Dreadful and we’re really enjoying it. Evans is a hoot. Do give it a try.